Agoraphobia Support Group

Happy Thursday evening everyone! I have been researching medication and herbal remedies the last couple days. I really do not want to take medication for the anxiety. The side effects and the bad experiences I have read through on this site and others do not encourage use at all. Even though my dad has had a good experience with Paxil, I still cannot wrap my mind around taking a medication. Maybe I'll eventually get there, but for now am looking into herbal remedies.

I have no experience with herbal remedies. Tonight, I came across PureCalm and MindSoothe from Native Remedies. The reviews I found online have been mostly positive, especially when used together. I was wondering if anyone in the group has used these herbal remedies or any other type of natural or homeopatheic remedy that worked to calm their anxious thoughts and those anxious feelings inside or have tried them and they didn't work for you? I am going to talk to my doctor before taking anything as I have hypothyroidism and a hormone imbalance that I take meds for, so I want to avoid any harmful interactions.

If you don't have experience with either of these remedies, what is your general opinion about herbal remedies? Thank you for your time.

I was just about to go buy something called the rescue remedy. it is all natural ( plant flower based) seems it is really good. My neighbor used it on her dog when there is a thunderstorm puts drops in the dogs water. It is safe for kids (hyper ones) it has a calming effect. The neighbor says it helps her dog. it has also been given to traffic accident victims while they wait for paramedics it helps with shock, also to people who witness accidents. It comes in a drop bottle u put drops in ur water bottle and drink it. bache flowers i think is where it comes from they have lots of others for depression, sleep stress and so on the rescue remedy is the most popular one it is either bache or bach. check it out good reviews for the couple people that have told me about it.

This is something worth looking into. I don't take medication either- I'm waaaaaaaaaaaaay to afraid of the side effects and everything. The only herbal product I have ever tried is herbal tea. Chamomile tea is so awesome! I have a lot of night panic... so most of the time it works for me. I recently started drinking it again, and I can tell there is a difference.

Valerian root? I've been on the RX train too long to hop off.

I haven't had huge success with herbal supplements etc. In fact, St. John's Wort (experimented with for my depression) actually caused me a manic episode and I am not even BP. I do agree with Mimi that chamomile tea can have a really soothing effect if you are calm enough to sit down and drink it. As to other common supplements, valerian root unfortunately did nothing for me personally though I know folks who swear by it. However, I actually have had some luck using the tincture drops called Rescue Remedy that Thunderstruck mentioned. They are made by Bach Flower Remedies. The active ingredients used in this are:

Star of Bethlehem – Orithogalum umbellatum

Rock Rose – Helianthemum

Cherry Plum – Prunus cerasifera

Impatiens – Impatiens gladulifera

Clematis - Clematis vitalba

Post edited by: claredoll77, at: 03/20/2012 06:50 AM

I have tried St. John's Wort with no real success and same with Valerian Root. I have also tried Kava Kava and didn't do much for me but tried them because others swore by them but I didn't get any help from them.

chamomile tea is just as good as most of these and you can get it at the grocery store

How bad does the tea taste? I am not a tea drinker but heard about it being helpful

Lilbit , chamomile tea is a very mild tasting tea. Not bad at all, and very relaxing . It works great for lots of people.

As far as other herbal remedies... I say just do your research. Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it's without side effects. Herbal or meds... They are all trial and error to see what works for different people.

Thanks claredoll for getting the info on the rescue remedy. You say u have tried it with some success?